The Contest Off

The Marietta Times, February 14, 1894

The Colored Girl the Bone of Contention

The oratorical contest between the pupils of the Marietta and Parkersburg High Schools is off.

When it was announced last week that a colored girl had been selected as the essayist to represent Marietta there was a kick among the Parkersburg contestants. Feeling was so high that Prof. Ames wrote to Prof. Smith of Marietta, explained the situation and requested that either the colored girl's name be dropped from the program or else drop the essay altogether. We are informed that Mr. Smith has replied and refuses to drop either the colored girl or the essay.

That settles the contest as far as Parkersburg is concerned as the pupils absolutely refuse to take part on account of the colored girl being on the program. The most vigorous kick comes from some of the pupils who have Republican parents. - Parkersburg Sentinel.

The above tells the story. Parkersburg wanted a contest with Marietta. The arrangements were all made and the contestants all selected. But Parkersburg discovers "a fly in the ointment," and the contest all at once becomes offensive to those of our sister city.

And why their disquietude? Because, forsooth, a colored girl, one who through her life, and because of no fault of her own, must be marked with a dark skin, which is harder to be borne than would be the brand of Cain, has been announced as one of the Marietta selections.

Because this girl, by the use and improvement of the talent and advantages that God has given her, and in the exercise of the rights guaranteed to her by the fundamental law of the land, has, after competition with those who have fairer skins, been fairly awarded the place of honor, then does our sister city heap insult and indignity upon her by refusing to engage in the contest because she is to be in it.

We have heard of the chivalry of the South. We have read of it in prose and in rhyme. We have gloried in it, and if we could have successfully invoked the aid of the Muse, would before this have sung of it in words that would have been immortal; but those of whom we have heard and read and would have sung, would not decline a combat for the reasons given in this case. They, in their greatness, would say, "let the best one win," and would be satisfied with the result of whatever color might be the one who gained the day.

It is strange that Prof. Ames, a Belpre boy, should be the medium through which this decision is made known, for if our memory does not play us false as to the traditions of the past, there were several stations of the Underground Railroad close to the spot where Frank was born and raised.

As our contest for the selection of the Marietta scholars to compete with those from Parkersburg was public, it may be the latter place had some of its emissaries in attendance, and that the displays of oratory, eloquence and ability were so great that they were dismayed and reported to those who sent them that literary giants dwelt in the land and that it would not be safe for them to attempt to possess it.

Fear of failure, fear that this daughter of Ham might be the victor and not race prejudice may be the underlying reason for their withdrawal.

If this be the case we admire their discretion but deplore their lack of chivalrous behavior.

African American Schools

Notice

The Marietta Intelligencer, August 2, 1849

The Board of Education for the town of Marietta, deeming it inexpedient to admit colored children into the regular common schools established in said town, have, as required by law, created a school district for colored persons in said town, embracing all the territory within the corporate limits thereof. And the adult male colored tax payers residing in said district are hereby notified to meet at the School House near T. P. Harshbergers Shop on Front Street on Saturday, the 11th day of August next at 2 o'clock P.M. and choose their School directors in accordance with the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio entitled "an act to authorize the establishment of separate schools for the education of colored children and for other purposes, passed February 10th, 1840.

By order of the Board of Education for the Town of Marietta.

E. H. Allen, Sec'y, pro tem

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School Room for Colored Youth

The Marietta Register, December 9, 1875

At a recent meeting of the Board of Education of Marietta, a committee previously appointed for the purpose, made the following report concerning a school building for the colored youth of the city:

To the Board of Education:

Communication of A. Jackson proposing to sell a building and lot for the Colored School, together with the order that said communication and the question of providing adequate accommodation for the colored youth, be referred to the committee on repairs - received our immediate attention.

The first school day after this reference, we visited the Colored School and were more than gratified to find it in so prosperous condition. The number of scholars almost double that of any former period, and the progress and prospects of the school are very promising. The building we found in the same condition it was after the repairs of last year, but the increased number of scholars, demanding more seats, and some for larger scholars. Without the loss of a school day, those seats were provided, and for the last three weeks the teacher and scholars have been enjoying the change.

The members of the Board have several times looked at the present building and examined other property with the impression that the present building was not in all respects suitable. Your committee have no additional reasons to give, other than those which have heretofore been brought to the attention of the Board for building or purchasing, unless it be the increased number of scholars.

In our examinations, we have learned that 27 of the present attendants of the school live above Putnam Street, and eight below Putnam Street, and the latter quite far away from the present building. Others, but a very few, live near the corporation line north of Washington Street. Accompanying this report will be found the names and places of residence of all enrolled, also a plat explaining the relative place of abode of each scholar.

G. M. Woodbridge

Jacob Miller

Committee

"Jerry," Well Known Figure for Generation Dies at the Infirmary

 Marietta Daily Times, April 15, 1912

This morning at 2 o'clock Jerry Haggins, colored, died in the County Infirmary after an illness of several weeks with gangrene. The trouble which resulted in his death was caused by his being frozen in a small hut in which he made his home for the past 15 years.

In the death of "Jerry," one of the best known characters of this vicinity passes. For years and years he had been a familiar figure on the streets of Marietta and but few people who have lived in the city, particularly among the business men, for any length of time did not have a speaking acquaintance with him.

There is no one in the city who knows much of the early history of Jerry. He always shunned anybody who attempted to pry into his personal affairs, and it is said that he became angered if any person asked his age.

About the only facts that he disclosed to any persons was that he was born in the South and that he was a slave before the Rebellion. Near the close of the war, or shortly after, he walked over the mountains to this part of the country and crossed the Ohio River at New Matamoras. After living there a short time, he came to Marietta where he made his home the balance of his life.

When he came to Marietta he was a man of indeterminate age. During the early part of his residence in this city he worked for Swift & Fuller in a blacksmith shop which was situated in the rear of what is now the J. W. Dysle Co.'s drug store on Front Street.

When a young boy, he had lost one of his legs through "white swelling." He was a very large man, being something over six feet tall and had all his life been very powerful. He was respected by all who knew him, for thought he had his faults, he was a law abiding citizen in almost every way.

"Jerry" was a person who appreciated the many favors which had been done for him, and so long as he was able he was a hard working man. A prominent man said this morning that, when a boy, he was compelled to pass the blacksmith shop in which Jerry was employed, but on account of his stature and the fact that he was physically disfigured, the boy was scared of him and always gave the shop a wide berth at all times. One day the lad's father took him to the shop, and shaking from head to foot, the youngster shook hands with Jerry. From that time forth, the boy no longer feared the big man, for the latter spoke so kindly to him and always treated him so well that the two became fast friends.

During the past few years, Jerry had been incapacitated so that he had been unable to do work of any kind. He was forced to spend much of his time at the county infirmary, but during warm weather he always wanted to come away from the institution.

One day Charles G. Dawes met Jerry on Front Street and shook hands with him. After releasing his grip from Mr. Dawes hand, Jerry found a dollar in his palm. He had received money from various people, but this was the first time that he had ever received a dollar from anybody. He was completely overcome with gratitude and sincerely thanked his benefactor. After Mr. Dawes had passed on, Jerry remarked, "I don't know who that gentleman is, but I do know he is a gentleman and I'll vote for him sure."

As far as is known, Jerry had no living relatives. His funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon from the chapel in Oak Grove.

Albany, Athens Co., School for Colored People

The Marietta Register, July 8, 1864

 Amesville, O., June 20, 1864.

Having been requested by some friends and patrons of the Albany Enterprise Academy, a school for the colored people, to visit that institution, I would hereby state that I have endeavored faithfully to perform the duty assigned to me, and that I find the effort to build up a permanent school of the kind designated, in successful progress.

The walls of the edifice, 30 by 48 feet, and two stories high, are completed, well and thoroughly built and ready for the roofing and floors. The materials for enclosing the building are nearly all on the spot and mechanics are engaged on the work. The building is well located for its purposes and when completed will be an honor to its donors, and a proud incentive, as well a great facility for the intellectual and moral elevation of the Colored People of the region. Thus far the undertaking is nearly free from debt and I doubt not has been as well and economically conducted as any similar enterprise.

There is also a school of colored persons ready to occupy the building when completed, of 49 enrolled scholars and a regular attendance of from 30 to 40 pupils. The school embraces the various ages from small children to full grown men and women, and the various hues from the most sable to those of the fairest complexions.

From a personal and particular examination on the spot, I have no doubt that the effort thus far conducted by the colored people to found an institution for their own benefit, and which shall not be liable to be wrested from them, has been as successful as the most sanguine friends of the enterprise could expect, and that is is entirely worthy of the confidence and generous cooperation of the friends of education and of the colored race. The enterprise has the confidence and cordial sympathy of the enlightened and virtuous community where it is situated, with the exception of a few individuals who object to the institution because it is under the control of people of color, and who though impotent for evil at home, may possibly injure the cause abroad.

It is earnestly to be hoped that all the means necessary to complete this very important enterprise will be generously given until the long oppressed race shall have a fair opportunity of asserting their claim to a standing among the enlightened, intelligent and cultivated mankind.

Charles Merwin

Pastor, Presbyterian Church